President's Message. Navy League of the United States Philadelphia Council Pass The Word. Inside this issue: Dear Council Members and Friends,

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1 Navy League of the United States Philadelphia Council Pass The Word Volume 9 Issue 1 January 2009 Inside this issue: Liberty Welcomes 3 Navy Day Luncheon 6 Annual Dinner Meeting 7 Coast Guard New s 8 Youth Programs 9 Naval Academy / ROTC Info 10 Black & White In an effort to reduce the cost of printing, which is significant, Pass The Word is being printed in black & white. A color version of this newsletter, as well as past issues, is available from our website at www. navyleaguephilly.org. President's Message Dear Council Members and Friends, As usual our Council has been busy since the last Pass The Word. Preparations for a host of Army/Navy game weekend activities consumed most of our Council's time. It was a jam-packed weekend and again the right team won the game (7 in a row!). Two destroyers, USS Oscar Austin (DDG79) and USS Bulkeley (DDG84), pulled into port that Thursday, and with his usual efficiency Dave Armstrong and the Ships Committee met them with the traditional Philly soft pretzels, tour information and an invitation to a combined Happy Hour that evening at Finnegan's Wake. At the Happy Hour, one of the liveliest of that kind that I've attended, we presented each Commanding Officer with a generous contribution to their MWR funds. On Friday morning, the Skipper of the USS Bulkeley hosted an onboard breakfast followed by a tour of the ship. There were also four Naval Academy YPs that put into port Friday, pressing Dave and his crew into service again. Please see Page 3 of this newsletter for more details of our Army / Navy game weekend activities. A Bravo Zulu and heart-felt gratitude go out to Rob Bender, Fran O'Brien, Jackie D'Angelo, Tom Chiomento, Stu Abramson, Kelly Preski, Charlie Bohnenberger for their countless hours of hard work and commitment to make all that happen successfully. They represent the Navy League accomplishing its mission of actively supporting the sea services. On Wednesday, December 17, 2008, our Annual Membership Meeting was held at Brodeur's Restaurant in Media, PA. It was a well-attended event, and CDR John Spencer, the Commanding Officer of the USS Philadelphia (SSN 690), was our guest speaker. The USS Philadelphia will be decommissioned sometime later this year after 22 years of honorable service. Although I was slated to and planned to remain President of the Philade l- phia Council through 2009, I have recently accepted a position with the Department of Defense's Office of General Counsel in the Washington, D.C. area. I have, therefore, resigned as President. I've been on non-profit boards for my entire professional career, and I say honestly that the Board of the Philadelphia Council is one of the finest in my experience. It was a privilege to serve the Council. Very truly yours, Phil Katauskas Council President Page 1

2 Council Directors Officers President Philip Katauskas 1 st Vice President Skip Dittmann 2 nd Vice President Dorinda Liebert Secretary Fran O Brien Treasurer Mike DeLorey Judge Advocate Joseph Hare Volunteer of the Month Jill LaMorie Directors Emeritus William Boyd William Cowper Anthony Murray Frank Hess William Kelly Wallace Littlewood Celeste Maschmeyer Michael Seider John Sweeney Committee Chairs/Liaisons Chaplain Legislative Affairs Marine Corps Merchant Marine Membership Navy Recruiting Newsletter Public Affairs Sea Cadets Visiting Ships USCG Webmaster Advisory Board James Ginty Corporate Sponsors PECO, An Exelon Co. Rev. John Spellman Celeste Maschmeyer Chris Baker Richard Kearney JB Bowie Stu Abramson Terry Williamson Ed Sobieray Dave Armstrong Richard Kearney Stu Abramson Chairman Community Affiliates Lockheed Martin Moorestown Lockheed Martin King of Prussia Boeing V-22 Program Sovereign Bank AT&T Pass the Word January 2009 Volume 9, Number 1 Pass the Word is published quarterly by the Philadelphia Council of the Navy League of the United States. Contributions are welcome Walden Way Doylestown, PA Jill LaMorie (pictured at right with ex Viet Nam POW Orson Swindle ) is a Philadelphia Council member. She is also the Director of Professional Education Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS) which provides ongoing emotional help, hope, and healing to all who are grieving the death of a loved one in military service to America, regardless of relationship to the deceased, geography, or circumstance of the death. Jill has been commuting to an office in Washington DC and was in need of office space closer to home in order to carry on her good work for people in the Greater Philadelphia area. About an hour following a request for help e -mail to our members, 4 of our members responded with offers of donated office space. Those offers were followed by several others and at this writing, things are looking good for Jill. We continue to be grateful and impressed, but not surprised, by the level of generosity and support by our members for our uniformed services and their families. Good luck Jill! New Law Authorizes Veterans Salutes during National Anthem Veterans and active -duty military not in uniform can now render the military-style hand salute during the playing of the national anthem, thanks to changes in federal law that took effect in October The most recent change, authorizing hand-salutes during the national anthem by veterans and out-of-uniform military personnel, was sponsored by Sen. Jim Inhofe of Oklahoma. It was included in the Defense Authorization Act of 2009, which President Bush signed on Oct. 14. Page 2

3 Operation Liberty Welcomes In conjunction with the Army Navy football game which took place in Philadelphia on December 6, the Philadelphia Council embarked on one of our most ambitious and comprehensive efforts to show support and gratitude to the men and women of our sea services for their sacrifices and the honor they bring to our nation. The coordinated events that made up Liberty Welcomes are described below. Welcome Wounded Warriors - We arranged a day of appreciation and hospitality for recovering military who have served and have been wounded in Iraq and Afghanistan. Wounded Warriors from Bethesda Naval, Ft. Meade and Walter Reed Military Hospitals took part in a day of appreciation on game day. Our Council provided special VIP bus transportation and tickets to the game for dozens of soldiers, sailors and Marines and their caregivers. Our heartfelt thanks to those sponsors who graciously donated box seats for this event. After the game, we provided an early dinner for the guests before they boarded the buses and returned to the hospitals. Motorcycle escorts for the Wounded Warrior buses to the Army / Navy reception area Shut Out Bowl - We provided game tickets for the crew of visiting Navy ships, for Marines, sailors and soldiers stationed in the area, and for wounded and recovering veterans who live in the Philadelphia area. Page 3

4 Liberty Welcomes (continued) Wounded Warriors in the NovaCare suite at Lincoln Financial Field during the Army / Navy Game. For sailors on the visiting ships who were unable to attend the game, we hosted our Shut Out Bowl. Big screen TVs and good food provided the shut outs with an opportunity to view the game in a fun Philadelphia setting. This year s event was held at The Fox and Hound at 15 th and Spruce in center city Philadelphia. Navy Futures Program Representatives of the US Naval Academy and the Navy Recruiting District held a Naval Academy NROTC information event for targeted local high school students and their parents. The event took place at the Independence Seaport Museum before the game. We thank the Seaport Museum for joining with us to sponsor this event. In other events our Council: Partnered with Finnegan s Wake to host a Welcome to Philadelphia Party for the crew of the USS Oscar Austin (DDG79) and USS Bulkeley (DDG84). Both Guided Missile Destroyers were visiting Philadelphia for the weekend. Provided 200 Navy/Penn basketball game tickets to visiting crew members and members of the USNA YP Squadron the game was on Friday night before the Army-Navy Game. Arranged for the Naval Academy Gospel Choir to perform at local high schools. Provided Army-Navy tickets to Marines and sailors and veterans in the Philadelphia area. Page 4

5 Liberty Welcomes (continued) Our guests enjoying the post game party celebration. As can be imagined, it took a major effort by some dedicated people to put this program together and make it happen. Council President Phil Katauskas named those Council committee members in his President s message on Page 1 of this newsletter. We would also like to extend a heartfelt Thank You to our many sponsors whose financial support was critical to the success of this program. Our major sponsors are: Lockheed Martin Ladera Resorts Peco Merck Exelon Sovereign Bank Navy Federal Credit Union Cardone Industries Local 98, IBEW Robert Luby Wolf Block Delaware River Port Authority Independence Blue- Cross Hooper Foundation Blue Star Mothers Radnor Trust NovaCare Rehabilitation Local 274 HERE- UNITE City of Philadelphia Coventry Page 5

6 Annual Navy Day Luncheon Council President Phil Katauskas presents a ships clock to Vice Admiral John Harvey, guest speaker at our Annual Navy Day Luncheon which was held at the Union League in Philadelphia on Oct 8. Adm Harvey gave an informative and sobering talk on the many challenges facing today's Navy. The color guard from the Benjamin Franklin High School NJROTC program provided a touch of military class to the proceedings at our Annual Navy Day Luncheon. Page 6

7 Annual Dinner Meeting We were honored to have CDR John Spencer, Commanding Officer of the USS Philadelphia, SSN 690, as our guest speaker at our Annual Dinner Meeting in December. Council President Phil Katauskas offers the Skipper a Council Polo shirt as a token of appreciation. The following day, CDR Spencer was given a tour of our city s landmarks by Council Directors Fran O Brien, Bill Rorer, and Skip Dittmann Page 7

8 Coast Guard News Coast Guardsman Mathew Ervin receives a certificate and a $100 check from our Council on his selection of Sailor of the Quarter for the Coast Guard Cutter William Tate. Also pictured (from the left) are Jim Robson, Council Directors Dick Kearney and Wally Littlewood, Skipper of the Tate, LT Megan Cull, and Council Director Dave Armstrong. Coast Guard Captain Gwyn Johnson receives a contribution check for the station MWR fund from Council Directors Dave Armstrong and Dick Kearney. Page 8

9 Youth Programs Highlighting Cadet Glendon Bartlett Cadet/LT Glendon Bartlett of Owen J. Roberts High School shot his way to an Area Four 10 th place finish in the Navy JROTC Air Rifle Postal* Competition this past December. Cadet Bartlett has been an active member of NJROTC and the Air Rifle Team since his freshman year. He purchased his own CO2 powered Daisy 888 and set up a range in his basement to supplement the practice time at school. This is on top of a very busy schedule and course load. In addition to his duties as unit Executive Officer, Glendon is a member of the varsity cross-country team, National Honor Society and DECA. He is taking AP Physics, AP Statistics and AP Calculus and qualified for his private glider license this past year. Glendon was awarded the Navy League Theodore Roosevelt Youth Medal and is pursuing an appointment to the Naval Academy or an ROTC college scholarship. We would like to pass our congratulations to Cadet Bartlett and wish him well in his future endeavors. *A postal competition is conducted by a cadet firing at their home range, under strict competition rules, and mailing the targets to the Civilian Marksmanship Program for scoring. This annual competition is open to all NJROTC programs with air rifle teams. Page 9

10 Naval Academy Summer Seminar Do you know a high school junior who has the potential to be a good Naval Officer? Please Pass the Word The Naval Academy Summer Seminar Application will open on February 1st, For More Information and To Apply Online Go to and click Admissions 2009 Seminar Dates: Session One: May 30 - June 4 Session Two: June 6 11 Session Three: June The United States Naval Academy Summer Seminar is a fast-paced, six-day experience for high achievers who have completed their junior year in high school. The Summer Seminar teaches you about life at the Naval Academy, where academics, athletics, and professional training play equally important roles in developing our nation's leaders. If you think that you may be interested in pursuing an appointment to one of the nation's service academies and serving your country as an officer, you should seriously consider attending the Naval Academy's Summer Seminar. Midshipmen run Summer Seminar with oversight by active duty Navy and Marine Corps officers. Over 2,250 students from around the world attend this fast paced program each year. If you want a summer challenge, the opportunity to sample university level academics at a first-rate institution, discover whether the Naval Academy will help you achieve your goals, and get a jump start on the admissions process, then this program is for you. Page 10

11 Academy / NROTC Information Do you know a 9 th, 10 th or 11 th Grader who has the potential to be a good Naval Officer? Please Pass the Word UNITED STATES NAVAL ACADEMY & NROTC INFORMATION DAY Continuous Open House Sunday, March 15, a.m. to 12 Noon Plymouth Whitemarsh High School E Germantown Pike, Plymouth Meeting PA The United States Naval Academy Admissions Office in conjunction with the Philade l- phia Alumni Association and Southeastern Pennsylvania Parents' Association cordially invite you and your parents to an Information Day about the Naval Academy and NROTC and the application process. On hand will be Naval Academy Information Officers (Blue & Gold Officers), NROTC Representatives, Naval Academy Alumni, Midshipmen, and Parents of Midshipmen to answer any and all questions about the Naval Academy and NROTC. We will also have on hand local Congressional Staff to provide information on the Congressional Nomination Process for USNA. JOIN US TO FIND OUT FIRST HAND: - CURRENT MIDSHIPMEN EXPERIENCES - GENERAL APPLICATION PROCEDURES - CONTINUOUS VIDEO PRESENTATION - NOMINATIONS AND APPOINTMENTS - SUMMER SEMINAR INFORMATION - BUS TRIPS TO ANNAPOLIS To RSVP or more information send an to Rob Bender at rbender@navyleaguephilly.org Or call Page 11

12 NAVY LEAGUE OF THE UNITED STATES PHILADELPHIA COUNCIL PASS THE WORD Are you receiving our Council s? If not, contact us with your address. INVITE A FRIEND TO JOIN THE NAVY LEAGUE We are part of a 60,000 member civilian organization, dedicated to supporting the men and women of the U.S. Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard and U.S. flag Merchant Marine. Founded in 1902, with the encouragement of President Theodore Roosevelt, the Navy League is a civilian organization that educates citizens and elected officials about the value of the U.S. being a strong maritime nation, and provides support directly to naval and maritime families. The Philadelphia Council of the Navy League, with almost 1,000 local members, is one of nearly 330 councils worldwide. We support active duty military personnel through adoption of ships, installations and units, commissioning ceremonies, awards and other recognition programs that build morale and support military personnel. We present awards to active duty personnel for exceptional service, scholarships, as well as educational seminars for Navy League members and local citizens. Additionally, the Council welcomes ships upon their visits to Philadelphia, helps military families adjust to new locations and offers many other forms of assistance. WE ARE NOT A VETERANS ORGANIZION. ANYONE CAN BE A MEMBER. FOR MORE INFORMA- TION: INFORMATION@NAVYLEAGUEPHILLY.ORG PHONE: Page 12